Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(July 27, 2014 - August 2, 2014)
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for the
As I See It...
Construction

Change is hard.

 

Not only is it hard but as we get older change gets harder to make.

 

It's easier to keep doing what we have always been doing.

 

The old saying of "but we've always done it that way" can be heard often.

 

But truly nothing ever stays the same and we all have to face change or get left behind.

 

This is true in your life as well as your business.

 

Things just naturally evolve and if you do not see the need to change and therefore do not make the change you will be left behind.

 

I have been in this business for thirty-four plus years and have seen many changes.

 

Our customers and the products and drinks have changed over the years along with how we do business.  

 

We used to operate out of a small old building that could not seat more than 60 people.

 

About 9 years ago we moved to a new building that can seat more than double that and sometimes we still do not have enough seats.  

 

Our off sale went from a small series of shelves behind the bar for liquor and beer had to be brought out of the cooler by the bartender.

 

Now customers can actually "shop."

 

Even the new building has changed since we opened and we soon will be getting an addition of a three season porch for extra seating.

 

We are considering an outdoor grill for the addition and a portable bar for busy times.

 

There are constant changes being made as we try to keep our business fresh and exciting.

 

Change can be scary and challenging or it can be fun and exciting.

 

It also can be a combination of these, but the way you approach change and maybe initiate it can make a positive difference.

 

By keeping in touch with the MMBA, attending conferences, and checking out your own local competition you can see new product, new equipment, law changes, new trends, etc.

 

Hope to see you all at the regional meeting coming this fall and keep your eye pealed for those new changes!!

 

Toni Buchite

Fifty Lakes  

New Shirts at St. Anthony Village Wine & Spirits Promote Community Value

 
Silver Pockets Full

The above message has been making the rounds.

As it turns out, About.com says:

It's true that the month of August 2014 boasts five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays (per the example above) , but this is not a rare occurrence, much less one that only happens once every 823 years.

Any 31-day month that begins on a Friday will have five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays.

The last time this happened (as of this writing) was in March 2013; the next occurrence (after August 2014) will be in May 2015.  

 

The next occurrence during the month of August, specifically, will be in 2025. That's only 11 years from now, not 823 years from now.

 

However, this event is important to retailers as the added Fridays and Saturdays will likely impact annual sales comparisons.
Minnesota Minimum Wage Increases August 1, 2014

Minnesota's minimum-wage rates increase Aug. 1.

As of Aug. 1, 2014

 

* Large employers must pay at least $8 an hour (annual gross volume of sales made or business done of $500,000 or more).

 

* Small employers must pay at least $6.50 an hour (annual gross volume of sales made or business done of less than $500,000).

 

* Training wage rate is $6.50 an hour (90-day training rate paid to employees who are younger than 20 years of age).

 

* Youth wage rate is at least $6.50 an hour (paid to employees younger than 18 years of age).

 

Other minimum-wage laws

 

* Minimum-wage rates apply to all hours worked, whether part time or full time.

 

* Employees must be paid at least the minimum-wage rate, no matter how they are paid.

 

* No employer may take a tip credit against wages in Minnesota.

 

* Examples of workers exempt from minimum wage requirements include:  bona fide executive, administrative or professional workers; babysitters; and volunteers of nonprofit organizations.

 

Click Here for More Information 

 

A Guy Sees a Beautiful Woman...
Woman at Bar

A guy sees a beautiful woman at the other end of the bar.  

 

He walks up to her and says, "Where have you been all my life?"

 

"Well," she says, "for the first half of it, I wasn't even born." 

 

Future Dates to Remember

2014 MMBA Regional Meetings 

 

Thief River Falls  September 10

Alexandria
September 17

Worthington
September 24

Rochester 
October 1

Duluth
 October 8

Metro
 October 9
Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Bill Ludwig
Paynesville
320-250-3325
  
Candice Woods
Hutchinson 
320-587-2762
  
John Jacobi
Isanti
763-444-5063

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Lisa Kamrowski
Nevis 
218-652-3135

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Toni Buchite
50 Lakes
218-763-2035

Brenda Visnovec
Lakeville 
952-985-4901
 
Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113
  
Shelly Dillon
Callaway
218-375-4691
  
Karissa Kurth
Buffalo Lake
320-833-2321
 
Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925

 
Click Here For Newsletter Archives 
Sunday Sales: Convenience at What Cost?
The MMBA website now contains comprehensive information on Sunday Sales. 

It is a reference for members, legislators, media, city councils and the general public.

Click Here for the Website

 

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Beverage Alcohol Training

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 Contact Bob Leslie at:
 
320-766-3871
 


Contact Gary Buysse at:

763-428-0164

How to Start a Movement
With help from some surprising footage, Derek Sivers explains how movements really get started.

(Hint: it takes two.)

Click Here

 


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